Tough Going in the Rathlin to St Kilda Challenge

As skipper of second-placed overall Derry/Londonderry/Doire in the 2015/2016 Clipper Round the World Race, the Atlantic Ocean to the west of the British Isles probably wouldn’t have thrown anything worse at the crew of Sailing InTuition on the Rathlin to St Kilda race which began on Thursday 9th June.

The Salona 40 is used in Daniel’s RYA training centre at Largs on the Clyde, providing training, adventure sailing and competitive offshore racing.

It was the first yacht to St. Kilda and for that won the Auld Alliance trophy as well as the Clyde Cruising Club Blue Water Trophy for overall first place.

At eight entries the 2021 event was smaller than in previous years. With some uncomfortable swell in the North Atlantic, there were four finishers in an often hotly contested battle with some yachts sitting neck and neck for the majority of the race. Peter Foulds of Clyde Cruising Club in the First 40 CR Clockwork was second.

Third was Kuba Szymanski’s Isle of Man-based First 40.7, Polished Manx, with fourth place going to Douglas Gray in the Finngulf 41, Shenavall from CCC and Serpents YC.

Daniel said; “The race was good fun, but conditions were tough, and it was very windy, blowing Force 7 with very big waves”.

By Betty Armstrong

A berth onboard next year can be booked here.